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Also known
as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or Mad Cow DiseasePlease see the archive for more
Q & A topics.

The
first case of BSE, or Mad Cow Disease was discovered on 12/23/03 in
the US. The purpose of this Q & A is to educate about the disease
process in cattle. For human health and current political issues
about BSE, please visit with your local health care provider or refer
to local/national/Internet news sources.

Bovine
= Of, relating to, or resembling a ruminant mammal of the genus Bos, such
as an ox, cow, or buffalo.Spongiform = Resembling a sponge in appearance or texture; spongyEncephalopathy = Any of various diseases of the brain.
(Source: dictionary.com)

Why is
it called "Mad Cow" disease?BSE is a relatively new disease, first diagnosed in Great Britain
in 1986. The common name of "Mad Cow" is probably due to the
loss of motor control, dementia and behavioral changes seen in the late
stages of this disease.

What
causes BSE?
BSE is an interesting disease from a medical standpoint because of the
causative agent, prions (pronounced pree-ons). Which leads the
to the question...

What
is are prions?!
A prion is an infectious protein that are similar to a virus, but
not a typical virus. Unlike viruses, prions aren't alive, so they can't
be killed with the usual disinfectants. The body does not mount a typical
viral immune attack against prions, either. Prion proteins can be denatured,
but only at extremely high temperatures or with very strong chemicals,
either way, not consistent with animal life so these are not treatment
options. Diseases caused by prions are referred to as TSEs -- Transmissible
Spongiform Encephalopathies.

How
do prions infect cows?The most common mode of infection is via feeding cows contaminated
feed -- feed that contains animal proteins (from sheep or cows). Researchers
are still studying modes of transmission and if heredity/genetics plays
a role in an individual animals susceptibility to, or protection from,
acquiring this disease.

How
is BSE diagnosed?BSE is suspected in animals that exhibit neurological
problems such as: staggering, general loss of motor control, dementia/behavioral
changes, increased startle reflex, weakness, weight loss, and decreased
milk production. BSE is diagnosed by examining the brain tissue
of the deceased animal and finding characteristic "moth eaten"
appearance of the brain tissue.

How
long does it take for BSE to develop in cattle?BSE has a long incubation period, meaning that it can take months
or years to show clinical signs. Once a cow starts showing signs, it is
often terminal within 3 months.*
* (Merck Manual, 8th ed. p 898)

Is
BSE always a fatal disease?Yes.

We
eat lots of deer, elk and other wild game. Do they carry BSE?
No, but wild game have their own "version" of TSE disease,
Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD), also a prion disease.

Can
humans catch Mad Cow disease?Technically, no, since this is a bovine disease. However, there
is a human version, and it is called Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease, that
has been linked to eating infected cow meat. This is an area of intense
research at the present time, searching for clues about diagnosis, transmission
and risk factors.